Adult and Youth Reoffending in Northern Ireland Cohort 2017/18 published today

The Department of Justice (DoJ) today published Research and Statistics Bulletin Adult and Youth Reoffending In Northern Ireland (2017/18 Cohort).

This annual Official Statistics publication provides information on the one year proven reoffending rate for offenders who received a non-custodial disposal at court, a diversionary disposal or who were released from custody during 2017/18 within Northern Ireland.  Information is presented in relation to the full cohort and also disaggregated in relation to adults (those aged 18 and over) and youths (those aged 17 and under). The main findings of this report are presented below.

Adult and Youth Reoffending in Northern Ireland (2017/18 Cohort)

• This annual bulletin provides information on the one year proven reoffending rate for offenders who received a non-custodial disposal at court, a diversionary disposal or who were released from custody during 2017/18 within Northern Ireland.  Information is presented in relation to the full cohort and also disaggregated in relation to adults (those aged 18 and over) and youths (those aged 17 and under).
• Of the 20,407 people included in the 2017/18 cohort, 3,884 (19.0%) reoffended during the one year observational period (adults 18.4%, youths 29.4%). The overall reoffending rate is being used as an indicator for the Programme for Government.
• The 2017/18 cohort was made up of 19,292 adults (94.5%) and 1,115 young people (5.5%). Of the adults within the cohort, 18.4% reoffended. The corresponding figure for young people was 29.4%.
• Of the 3,884 who reoffended, over two-fifths (44.7%) committed their first reoffence within the first three months (adults 44.2%, youths 50.0%).
• In terms of offending history, 61.2% of the 20,407 had committed previous offences, ranging from one to 656 distinct offences, (adults 62.6%, youths 35.2%).
• Overall, 12.9% of females and 20.6% of males had reoffended (adult females 12.3% and adult males 20.0%, youth females 24.1% and youth males 30.7%).
• The one year proven reoffending rate for[1];
  • custody releases was 45.4% (adults 45.0% and 11 of 15 youths).
• court community disposal (supervision) was 37.3% (adults 34.9%, youths 63.1%).
• court community disposal (no supervision) was 18.6% (adults 18.3%, youths 47.6%).
• diversionary disposal was 16.6% (adults 14.4%, youths 24.8%).
• The highest reoffending rates were found amongst those who had committed a baseline offence in the ‘Burglary’ category (42.9%), followed by ‘Robbery’ (37.7%).  This was the same for adults only, (‘Burglary’ 43.4% and ‘Robbery’ 36.5%). For youths, the highest reoffending rates were found amongst those who had committed a baseline offence of ‘Criminal Damage’ (43.8%), followed by ‘Public Order’ (38.7%) and ‘Drugs’ (35.9%).

Notes to editors: 

1.  In 2013, the Department of Justice’s Analytical Services Group embarked on a project to revise the methodology used to calculate recidivism rates within Northern Ireland, bringing it more in line with established methodology in England and Wales. For a more detailed methodology, refer to ‘Northern Ireland Reoffending Methodology: Methodology and Glossary Part 1’. 

2.  Any study of reoffending rates is prone to misunderstanding and misrepresentation if sufficient care is not taken to observe the caveats around each figure. For example, for both adult and youth cases, the reoffending rates are highest for those released from custody and lowest for those given a diversionary disposal. Inevitably what needs to be taken into account in the interpretation of these figures is, most obviously, (a) the seriousness of the offence which led to the disposal in the first place and (b) the previous criminal history of the individual as a factor in the original disposal, together with a range of other criminogenic, demographic and, indeed, administrative/procedural issues. What these figures do not mean is that diversionary disposals are, irrespective of other factors, necessarily a more efficient deterrent to reoffending.

3.  Official Statistics are produced in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics.  They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs and are produced free from any political interference.  They are also subject to restrictions in terms of pre-release access. 

4.  The bulletin will be available in PDF format from either

• The Statistics and Research section of this website or
• Analytical Services Group, Castle Buildings, Stormont Estate, Belfast BT4 3SG. Email: statistics.research@justice-ni.x.gsi.gov.uk

5.  Media enquiries should be directed to the Department of Justice Press Office via email at: press.office@justice-ni.x.gsi.gov.uk

6.The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours’ service for media enquiries between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted out of hours on 028 9037 8110.

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